My Frugal Miser - August 2026 Finances

 Income

In August I received the advance for the San Diego meeting I started on the 26th.  ODC made the monthly interest payment on my promissory note.  I received rent from both of my rental properties and three Realty Mogul distributions.  I also did one Amazon Flex route.  For other income, I received a $190.76 deposit for Rakuten, the bulk of which was from a SIXT car rental I had for work, so free money.  

Interest earnings grew because I moved funds for my real estate business to AXOS bank, where the interest rate is significantly higher than Capital One.  In July, Capital One paid $4 interest; in August, AXOS paid $144 on essentially the same principal balance.

Expenses

Once again I spent a lot in August, but the largest expense was for home improvement.  I paid half the invoice for some concrete work I am having done.  I am extending our elevated back patio (3x the current size), adding a sidewalk to connect the front driveway to the new shed, and adding a concrete pad between the driveway and the fence.  I'll owe the balance when the work is done, probably in September.

Top 3

1. I made the first of two payments for concrete work.  
2. We started the month with an Alaskan cruise and spent money for excursions, museums and a little dining.
3. In Travel we rented a car in Juneau.  I also paid for a flight which I subsequently canceled.  I have to use that credit within 12 months.

The Other Stuff

There were a lot of small expenses:  I paid the $85 annual fee for my Marriott Bonvoy card.  For that I receive a free night. I paid for 5 visits from the cat sitter.  The $421 I spent for work will be reimbursed in September.

My Frugal Miser - July 2026 Finances

Income

In July I was paid for work I did in June, but I didn't work any events.  ODC made the monthly interest payment on my promissory note.  I received rent - get this - from BOTH of my rental properties.  After nearly a year without income, my single family home in Alabama is generating positive income once again.  Let's hope that was a one-time fluke,  

Expenses

I spent a lot in July.  Now that I'm using Simplifi to manage my finances, it's easier to track more categories, which I'm starting to do.  So instead of lumping all things travel into one bucket (previously called "Fun"), I have started giving them more specific categories.  What better time to start than July - unfortunately my mother passed away.  Traveling to spend time with her wasn't for fun.

Top 3

1. I made the second and final payment for our new shed.  
2. I went to Richmond to be with my mother during her final days.  I was with her when she passed away, and being there has helped immensely with the grieving process.
3. Entertainment was again a big expense.  We took a cruise at the beginning of July and another cruise (to lock in Lifetime Diamond status) in early August.

The Other Stuff

I had a surplus in Work Expenses from reimbursements.  I also elected to use points to pay the annual fees on two credit cards where I paid the fee in June, so it was refunded in July.  

I spent $700 on food, which is more than I'd like.  Not working meant more spending on groceries, plus we splurged onboard our cruise for a specialty dining.  It was absolutely worth it!

My Frugal Miser - June 2026 Finances

Streamlining...

Moving forward I'll be combining income and expenses into one blog post.

Income

June marks the end of corporate events season.  This year was no different:  I worked 19 days in June - not terrible.  I have nothing on the books for July; we plan for a month of leisure.  Last month I received just shy of $7,000 from event work.  Interest income was in-line with prior months.  The majority of interest income is from a promissory note I made to Open Door Capital.  I received rent from my condo tenant.  The other house is occupied, but I have yet to benefit as expenses and fees have eaten up all the rent.

Expenses

June was an interesting month for expenses.  

Top 3

1. I received my tax refund, which included a refund of the first quarter 2026 tax payment I made because I accidentally selected 2025 when I made the payment.  
2. That helped to offset the down payment I made on the shed we are installing in our backyard.  Our house doesn't have a garage and there is nowhere for our lawnmower, garden tools, mopeds, etc.  That's meant unnecessary clutter which I really hate.  I'll probably spend even more in July as I've decided to extend the back patio, carport area and add a sidewalk from the front to the back yard.  
3. Entertainment was once again a big expense at $1,849.  There's a lot within this category, including vacations (tours for our cruises), online gaming (I've become addicted to a game called Township) and miscellaneous smaller spending for streaming subscriptions, AMC A-List, trips to see Mom (she's not doing well, so I'm visiting more frequently), etc.

The Other Stuff

I had a healthy surplus in Work Expenses.  The three meetings I worked last month included true per diems that were mostly income because I barely spent money while I was away for work.  There was also income for utilities:  I filed a claim for my cracked phone in March that was finally paid out in June.  Everything else was fairly normal:  $286 for food prepared at home, $218 for restaurant meals, and spending for health, home and car.  I did have a fairly large ($480) spend on bank fees.  Two of my credit cards assessed an annual fee last month.

What else should I include in this revamped post?  I might add more about my Net Worth in the future.  That's the one number I track carefully, because when I get to my goal, I should be able to live off my savings.  Hint:  I'm getting close.

My Frugal Miser - May 2026 Income

 I worked Meetings & Events 24 days in May.  

The condo tenant paid his rent and I received four distributions from Realty Mogul.  The other rental home in Birmingham is rented but I haven't received a rent deposit yet.

Open Door Capital continues to pay interest on the promissory note.

May Income: $14,637

$10,093 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries

$2,425 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $387)
$2,102 Interest Income

$17 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $647

My brokerage accounts were basically unchanged in May.